Scorpions can be scary. It is not uncommon for people to see a scorpion and rush to find a tool to kill it with. They have a stinging tail that can reach speeds of 50 inches per second. However, they are not all that bad. Learning more about these insects can make one realize that scorpions are generally less dangerous than they seem.
Most people know of scorpions due to their painful sting but do not know much about them. If you find scorpions in your home, call a Pest Control Company immediately.
Interesting facts about scorpions
- Scorpions have been around long before dinosaurs.
Scorpions are not new animals. In fact, they have been around from the time when dinosaurs existed. Fossil studies show that scorpions were among the first marine animals to live on dry land, which happened 420 million years ago. The first dinosaur is recorded to evolve around 240 million years ago.
- They give birth instead of laying eggs.
You may already know that most insects lay eggs. However, scorpions give birth to their live young. They reproduce in two different ways. Some scorpions grow in a membrane where they receive nourishment from the yolk and their mother. Others grow without a membrane and receive nourishment for growth only from their mother.
When they give birth, the baby scorpions ride on their mothers’ backs until they molt for the first time. They remain protected until this and then disperse.
- They are not insects.
Many people are surprised to find that scorpions are not insects. Instead, they are arachnids. Some other examples of arachnids include spiders, mites, and ticks.
- They live for a long time.
Scorpions belong to a broader group of arthropods. Most arthropods live briefly, and many insects only live for a week or two. On the other hand, scorpions live for the longest time. Compared to other insects that only live for a week, scorpions can live for up to ten years. Their lifespan is usually between two to ten years. When held captive, they can even survive for 25 years.
- They dance before mating.
Perhaps the funniest fact about a scorpion is that they dance before they begin mating. They perform a courtship ritual known as promenade à deux. The performance usually begins when a female scorpion shows interest in a male. The details of the dance vary from species to species, and it can last from minutes to hours.
- They can survive almost anything.
Scorpions have lived for millions of years, and that has only been possible because they are great survivors. They can go one year without food, stay submerged in water for 48 hours, and live in harsh and dry environments. They do not require much to survive.
